A Nature and Mindfulness Retreat on The Isle of Wight

2020 will be the first year in over a decade that I’ve not travelled overseas. For me, it’s just not worth it during these difficult times. However, it’s still so important to have time away from the drama and drabness of everyday life, so I took myself on UK staycation to the beautiful Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight has been on my list since I first moved to the UK. I was supposed to visit in June this year for the Awakening Festival, but you know, Covid…

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I travelled solo during this little sojourn, using the time to really switch off, relax, and enjoy some mindfulness in a beautiful setting.

Of course, I couldn’t see all the sights during my stay but I’ve collected my highlights and recommendations below.

WightLink Isle of Wight Ferry

I took the train from London down to Portsmouth then the Wightlink ferry across to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight. I was a little worried about public transport as I’d avoided it almost entirely since March but thankfully, everything felt comfortable and safe. Neither journey was busy and the ferry had strict Covid precautions being enforced.

If you’re nervous about travelling, this is a good journey to dip your toes back into public transport.

The Woodland Retreat

I wanted to stay somewhere in natural surroundings within a decent price range, as I was going for five nights and had a pretty tight budget. After a search on Airbnb, I found a cute little wooden cabin, which was part of The Woodland Retreat* estate.

The cabin was set in the woods of Wooton Bridge, walking distance from Fishbourne ferry port. It was basic but comfortable and I really made myself at home.

The kitchen was a lifesaver, as it both saved me money and allowed me to eat a little healthier than if I ate out all the time. Though I generally managed to find vegan options when out-and-about, choice was often limited, particularly in the smaller towns. I ate a lot of pastries for lunch so it was nice to be able to have a healthy(ish) breakfast and dinner.

The cabin had a private patio where I sat during the warmer evenings and once the sun went down, I watched bats swooping overhead. So cute!

Shanklin Chine

Following the recommendation from a friend, I visited Shanklin Chine, a pretty waterfall on the east coast of the island.

If I’m completely honest, I’ve seen much more impressive waterfalls over the years (Skógafoss in Iceland, Johnston’s Canyon in Canada and Krka in Croatia, to name a few)… However, Shanklin is still worth a visit. It’s a pretty spot and a lovely walk through lush forest to reach the falls. It would have been great to walk up over the falls but due to social distancing, the narrow pathway was closed. Maybe next time!

During the evenings, the trails and falls are illuminated with coloured lighting creating a fairy wonderland effect. I would have loved to have seen it had I been there later in the day.

Where to Eat

Not gonna lie, Shanklin wasn’t the most vegan-friendly of places. I wandered the beachfront then the town for a fair while before I finally stumbled upon a little bakery with a sign in their window advertising vegan sausage rolls. Hurrah!

ISLE OF WIGHT Donkey Sanctuary

A short bus ride from Shanklin Chine was the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary in the Wroxall Valley.

I researched the place a lot before visiting. I’m well aware that the term “sanctuary” isn’t always accurate, however, this place seemed to be the real deal. It’s home to nearly 100 donkeys and around 30 ponies, all of whom have been rescued.

The animals are housed in their “forever home” within 55 acres of countryside where they are looked after by sanctuary staff and volunteers. They have huge, grassy spaces to wander around in and large barns to shield from the elements. They even house the older, more placid donkeys separately from the more raucous young ones, which I thought was sweet.

The sanctuary is free to visit and it’s funded entirely through donations and profits from the on-site cafe and gift shop.

Where to Eat

The on-site cafe had a decent number of vegan options. I went for the mixed pepper & vegan cheese panini with a side of chips. Very tasty!

Ryde Beach

If you’re looking for sandy beaches, Ryde is the place. It’s a pretty town with a lively seafront, so a great place for a leisurely stroll. From the sandy shore, you can see all the way across the water to Portsmouth.

It’s also worth a walk right out to the end of the long Ryde Pier, which is over 200 years old. The pier is open to both pedestrian and cars, and there’s a train station at either end. It can be quite odd to walk along a wooden pier with cars and trains going past!

(I didn’t eat in Ryde so no recommendations, unfortunately!)

The Needles

On the South-West coast of the Isle of Wight are The Needles – three chalk columns jutting out of the sea at the end of a headland. To view them, you go through The Needles Landmark Attraction.

The Needles Landmark Attraction is a family-oriented location with a few amusement rides, a 4D cinema, a sweet manufacturer, and glass blowing. Due to Covid, all these attractions were closed; however, I went for the landscapes and nature so that was fine with me!

The best way down to (and back from!) the beach is via chairlift. It’s been while since I was on one of those and it was a bit of a strange experience without skis strapped to my feet. For those scared of heights, never fear… there’s also a path right down to the beach!

From the pebble beach I took a socially-distanced boat tour around the harbour, which is the best way to see the colourful cliffs. It also means you get up close to the Needles themselves and the famous Trinity Lighthouse.

Where to Eat

The Needles Landmark Attraction has both a cafe and a cafeteria-style restaurant. There’s no vegan options in the cafe (I asked) but the restaurant had a few options, including two or three vegan pastries. I don’t recommend the chips, which tasted like they’d been sitting in a tray for a while but the cauliflower and chickpea pasty was really good!

Bembridge Harbour

Another bus journey away from my cabin was Bembridge Harbour, a really lovely little cove with both pebble and sand beaches and calm waters dotted with sailing boats and pleasure crafts.

I spent several hours in Bembridge, simply wandering along the sand, paddling in the water, and snooping on admiring the amazing houseboats.

Newport

I visited Newport quite a few times as it was only 10 minutes or so from my cabin. On one occasion, I did something a little out of my comfort zone and went for a Reiki Healing session.

I had my first ever session during The Awakening: Wellbeing on Water event earlier this year. Some of the things said really shook me with their accuracy so I decided to give it another go. Why not?

I visited the same healer for a one-hour session. I gave her no information about myself (not even that we’d met before) yet she spooked me again with her accuracy. Some things I can rationalise and appreciate they may be educated guesses… But others? Nope, there’s just no way.

Once I let go of my nerves, it was a really therapeutic experience. I left feeling calmer and  lighter… And with a couple of crystals stuffed in my bra (because apparently that’s a thing).

Where to Eat

PEACH Vegan Kitchen & Zero Waste Store is in the town centre and it’s a lovely little place. They do great coffee and a selection of sweet and savoury dishes. I tried the sweet potato and vegan feta pasty, which was amazing, along with the cranberry flapjack, which was perfect with my coffee.

Overall, it was such a relaxing getaway. I’m already thinking about my next trip to the Isle of Wight…

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Have you been to the Isle of Wight? What are you recommendations? Let me know below!